36. Major BARNESasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping if he can state why the case of T. G. Brooker v. the Crown was taken into court, involving expenditure of public funds; and is it the regular practice of the Ministry of Shipping to compel claimants to fight such claims?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEThe case referred to in the question was taken into Court because it was not possible to admit the plaintiff's claim, and as the result of the action the claim was reduced by over £50,000. The practice is to settle claims where it is at all possible to do so, but where a settlement cannot be made, and "the claim is excessive, it has to be resisted.